Jokowi Celebrates New Year in Raja Ampat

Friday, January 1, 2016
Papuaexpert.com, Sorong – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo just welcomed the first day of 2016 at the Waiwo Beach dock of Raja Ampat, West Papua.
News agency reported that Jokowi, wearing a white shirt and sarong without footwear, walked out onto the dock at about 6:15 a.m. local time before the sun had completely risen.
Sitting on the dock while feeding the fish below and seeing the beauty of Raja Ampat, Jokowi said that he wanted more tourists to visit Indonesia. He was accompanied by West Papua Governor Abraham Oktavianus Ataruri, Raja Ampat Regent Markus Wanma and several other officials.
“There are 10 destinations in Indonesia which are as good as Raja Ampat, it’s not likely we don’t get 20 million foreign tourists,” said the President.
President and First Lady Iriana arrived in Papua on Tuesday. The First Family planned to greet the new year in the country’s easternmost province. During the four day tour, Jokowi viisted Merauke, Wamena, Timika, Sorong, Raja Ampat and South Sorong.
President Jokowi began his tour in Papua Province. He went to Merauke, Timika and Nduga Regency. Jokowi also inaugurated several projects in Papua and installed a time capsule in Merauke that contained dreams for the country from 2015 to 2085.
After that, he visited West Papua Province. He went to Sorong where he observed sago factory built by state-owned agriculture company, Perum Perhutani, then spent New Year’s Eve in Raja Ampat.
Jokowi also visited a grouper fish farm in Raja Ampat on Thursday afternoon. The local administration pioneered a grouper fish farm by providing spawn for local fishermen. Raja Ampat regency hopes to export the fish to China and Hong Kong.
President Joko Widodo ended his tour to Papua Province and West Papua Province on Friday (1/1/2016). During his tour, Jokowi admitted he was impressed. He learned condition and character of Papuans. He even called Papua a little heaven on earth.

“I have been four days and three nights in Papua region,” said Jokowi in his speech in Kais District, South Sorong Regency, West Papua Province on Friday (1/1/2016). Furthermore, he promised the development in Papua region will improve significantly within two years. Government will build roadways and railways in the region.

“If God is willing, all roads will be connected in 2018. This year also, the railways will start the process. Last year, we started railway construction in Sulawesi. (In Papua), it could start in Sorong,” he promised. (FRI)